Chris Holt

Kevin Davies has announced his retirement from football, after 22 years in the game.

The Sheffield-born striker began a career, in which he would grab 150 goals in 820 appearances, at Sheffield United's academy before moving to Chesterfield where he made his name in the Spireites side, then in the third tier which battled to the FA Cup semi-final in 1997. Davies scored a hat-trick in dumping out Bolton in the fourth round.

His displays earned a move to Southampton, then Blackburn and then back to the Saints but it was his next switch that would be the most important; to Bolton, where he would make over 350 appearances and earn an England cap.

He told BBC Radio 5 live: "I could probably physically do another season but I just feel it's the right time.

"I'll look back with immense pride for the last 22 years."

In 2010, Davies - at 33 years and 200 days - became the oldest England debutant since 38-year-old Leslie Compton in 1950 when he came on as substitute in a Euro 2012 qualifying game against Montenegro, his only cap.

Davies says the call-up was the high point of his career, adding: "I'd been in so many of those long squads and on stand-by I never thought it would quite come.

"To get the call at 33, it was just an amazing week for myself. I just loved every minute, travelling down, the training and getting on to the pitch.

"It wasn't a great game, to get on the pitch and represent my country was the pinnacle."

The 38-year-old former left Preston over the summer when his two-year contract expired after leading them to promotion to the Sky Bet Championship last season.